Adjustable-curvature expander roll and the like



Sept- 21, 1954 J. D. ROBERTSON ADJUSTABLE-CURVATURE EXPANDER ROLL AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 23, 1952 Sept. 21, 1954 J. D. ROBERTSON ADJUSTABLE-CURVATURE EXPANDER ROLL AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 23, 1952 Sept. 21, 1954 J. D. ROBERTSON 2,689,392

ADJUSTABLE-CURVATURE EXPANDER ROLL AND THE LIKE Filed May 2:5, 1952 s Sheets-Sheet s NNN an QWN N h mm .2 a. 33w ma an\ N 3 v Q N a Patented Sept. 21 19 54 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE CURVATURE EXPAN DER ROLL AND THE LIKE 15 Claims.

They have utility for spreading travelling sheets of fabric, paper, foils, films, and the like, and for removing wrinkles therein as any such sheet comes to the roll at its concave side and leaves the roll at its convex side on a course leading to or from any of various processing devices. The rolls also may be used for reducing the width of travelling sheets, as in the manufacture of creped sheet materials, for example, in which case the sheets would be led to the curved rolls at their convex sides and would leave the rolls at their concave sides.

Longitudinally curved rolls have additional utility for correcting bow of the weft or filler elements of woven sheet materials. Heretoiore, bow-correcting rolls having a fixed, amount of curvature have been arranged in pairs and mounted for swinging, each about a straight axis, withthe rolls of each pair adapted to be swung bodily in opposite directions to increase or decrease the bow-correcting effect of the curved rolls on a travelling woven sheet engaging therewith. The invention may be employed, if desired, for varying the curvature of such bowcorrecting rolls, as well as for varying the curvature of curved expander rolls.

In my Patent No. 2,547,975, dated April 10, 1951, there is disclosed a curved expander roll the opposite end portions of which are straight and only the central portion of which has variable curvature, My present invention goes beyond the disclosure of my said patent in that rolls according to my preesnt invention may have variable curvature extending from end to end thereof, or may have straight central portions and variable curvature end portions, or straight end portions and variable curvature central portions. Also, the rolls as herein disclosed are more readily adjustable to attain a desired bow or curvature, as compared with the roll of my said patent. i

It is among the objects of my present invention to provide rolls which may be employed as straight-axis rolls but each quickly and easily may be provided with adjustable curvature which, in one embodiment, may extend from end to end of a roll or, in other embodiments, may be confined to either or both a central portion and opposite end portions of a roll. According to the invention, each roll has an axle which is resiliently flexible throughout one or more substantial portions of the length of the roll. The body of the roll is rotatable on the axle, and the axle may be locked in a condition in which it constitutes a straight axle of a straight roll, and also may be bowed and locked to provide longitudinal curvature at one or more predetermined portions of its length, or throughout its length, with provision whereby the curvature may be varied to suit particular requirements or desires, the roll body being self-adaptingto any particular straight or curved condition of the roll axis, or portions thereof.

Another object of my present invention is to provide a roll having a flexible axle upon which the body of the roll is rotatable, and having means at an end portion of the axle, or at both end portions of the axle, for efiecting a b owing of the axle at one or more predetermined substantial portions of .the length of the roll, the said roll body comprising a series of roll sections and a flexible surface sleeve tying all of the roll sections together for rotation in unison with the surface sleeve about the axis of the roll axleregardless of the condition of the said axis, as regards straightness or degree of curvature at particular portions thereof. The said roll sections are maintained in spaced relation by inter-engaging spacer elements which are self-adjusting as bowing of the roll axle proceeds, there being clamping means coacting with said bowing means rigidly clamping the spacer elements under endwise compression to maintain the roll with any selected condition of bow therea It is, moreover, my purpose and object generally to improve the structure and utility of rolls and especially of rolls having provision for imparting varying amounts of longitudinal curvature thereto, such as curved expander rolls and curved bow-correcting rolls as employed in the processing of travelling sheet materials.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a curved expander roll embodying features of the invention, portions of the roll being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a medial cross-sectional view through the roll and end clamps of Fig. 1, but with the longitudinal axis of the roll straight, and with the roll axle rotated in the end clamps through 90 from its position in Fig. 1. h

Fig. 3 is a medial cross-sectional view of the left-hand end portion of the roll of Fig. 2, on a larger scale, showing the roll and clamp after curvature has been imparted to the roll;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view on line l& of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5' is a cross sectional view on lined-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the bifurcated member of Figs. 2 and 3 to which the upper leaf'of the axle is rigidly secured at the left-hand end of the axle of Figs. 2 and 3, its enclosing" sleeve being shown in cross-section;

Fig. 8 is a medial cross-sectional View of the opposite end portions of a mounted adjustable curvature roll having a modified form of axle construction, the main extent of the curved portion of the roll being broken away; and.

Fig. 9 is a medial cross-sectional view of another rnodi-fication showing only one end portion and acentral portion of a roll both ends of which are identical.

Referring to the drawings, a longitudinally curved roll is indicated generally at I in Fig. 1, mounted in end clamps l2, l4 which have set screws l6 for securing the roll with its curved axis in a selected plane. When the set screws is are loosened, the roll may be adjusted in the end clamps i2, it, about a straight axis common to both clamps, to place the curved axis of the roll in a desired plane, after which the set screws [6 may be tightened to secure the roll with its curved axis in the selected plane.

According to the invention, the roll Iii has a resiliently flexible axle comprising a stack of long resiliently flexible strips or leaves l8, 19, 2-8, 2|, 2-2, 23, 24, 25, 26, preferably of metal, which together constitute a long leaf-spring on and along which a series of generally cylindrical roll sections 28, 36 are arranged, with suitable anti-friction bearing units, such as the ballbearing units 22, intervening between the leaf"- spring axle and each of the'roll sections 28, 39, as best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 wherein'the roll axle is shown rotated in the end clamps through 90 from its position of Fig. l. A flexible surface sleeve 34, of rubber or the like, is engaged over the roll sections 28, 30, tying all of the roll sections together for rotation in unison with the surface sleeve 34, and bridging the spaces between adjacent rollsections.

The illustrated ball-bearing units 32 are of a type having an inner race 32 and an outer race varying widths as best seen in Figs; and 6, and they are stacked to provide a generally hexagonal composite cross-section. The inner race 32 of each ball-bearing unit has a hexagonal hole 36 therethrough whereby the ball-bearing units may be slidably and non-rotatably distributed along the leaf spring axle, with annular spacing elements 38 predetermining a proper spacing apart of the bail-bearing units. The shell'of the outer race 32* of each ball-bearing unit has force-fit within one of the roll sections 23 and 36 whereby each outer ball race 32* and its associated roll section rotates as a unit. Abutment' means 28 and 3! are provided interiorly of the respective roll sections 28, 36 against which the ball-bearing units are stopped when forced into the roll sections.

The leaves of the leaf-spring axle have.

All of the leaves of the leaf-spring axle are rigidly secured together at one end of the leafspring, herein shown as the right-hand end as represented in Fig. 2, the leaves being welded or brazed together at the blackened edge portions st in the cross-sectional view of Fig. 5, and the end portions of the leaves being rigidly secured together to provide the relatively solid and rigid projecting end portion 42. This rigid end portion 42 of the axle has circular cross-section and is exteriorly threaded for a purpose which later will appear. All of the leaves are shown welded together at 43 throughout the extent of end portion 42 in Fig; 2.

At the other end of the leaf-spring, the top leaf l8an'dthe bottom leaf 26 project substantially outward beyond the ends of the intervening leaves i9, 20, 2|, 22, 23, 2d and 25, and the projecting end of leaf I8 is rigidly secured to the cross-sectionally round rod or plunger 44 which is slidably mounted within a member Member 46 is rigidly secured, as by welding at 41, within the relatively long tube or sleeve 48. The inner end portion of member &5 is bifurcated at 50, as best seen in Fig. 7, and the rod or plunger 44 has bearing support on and between the furcations 46 46 of member it, as best seen in Fig. 4. The projecting portions of leaves It, 26 have substantial extent between the formations 48 46 the leaf It being rigidly secured to the rod or plunger as by being welded thereto at 15, and the leaf 26 being rigidly secured to the furcations 46 46 of member it as by being welded thereto at 49.

The rod or plunger Mi extends from its securement to leaf It outward within member it toward the outer end of the latter but terminates a substantial distance short of the said outer end of member 46. A screw 52 is threaded into the outer end portion of member 46 with its inner end engaging the outer end of rod or plunger ii, whereby the rod or plunger 44 may be forced inward along member 56 by inward screwing of screw 52,-and the resilience of leaf iii urges rod or plunger 44 outward along member 36 in response to outward screwing or screw A looking screw 54 extends loosely through the screw 52 and has its end threaded into the outer end portion of rod or plunger M, for securely loci:- ing the latter in any position along member "58 to which it may have been moved in response to turning of screw 52.

When the elements of roll it are being assembled, the leaf-spring axle will be substantially straight as in Fig. 2, and free of the end clamps i2, is. The ball-bearing unit at the lefthand end of the roll, with its roll section 23 thereon, is first arranged over the right-hand end of he axle and slid to its position of 2 in which its inner race 32 is stopped against the inner end of the tube or sleeve 53. The roll section 28 on, this unit 32 has an annular flange 29 thereon,and an end plate preferably is secured to flange 29, as at 28 Two of the annular spacing elements 38 next are loosely arranged on the axle, followed by a second ball-bearing unit 32 with its roll section 23 thereon. After each subsequent ball-bearing unit is slid to its place on the axle, two of the annular spacing elements 38 intervene between it and the next unit 32 until all of the ball-bearing units are on the straight, leaf-spring axle. As shown, each of the roll sections 28- has an annular flange 28 thereon, and the roll sections are arranged with the flanges 29 at the left-hand ends of the roll sections which are to the left of the center of the roll in Fig. 2, and with the flanges 29 at the righthand ends of the roll sections which are to the right of the center of the roll in Fig. 2. The roll section 30 at the center of the roll has no flange.

When all of the roll sections 28, 30 are distributed along the leaf-spring axle, the resiliently flexible surface sleeve 34 is expanded and slid to its position over all of the roll sections, in a conventional manner, following which the end plate 56 for the right-hand end of the roll will be secured to the flange 29 of the end-most roll sections 28, as at 29.

Before the right-hand end of the roll axle (Fig. 2) is inserted in end clamp l4, an annular spacing element 58 is mounted on the axle in engagement with the inner race 32* of the endmost ball-bearing unit 32, following which the right-hand end of the axle is inserted through the pivoted member 60 of the clamp which has a hexagonal hole 62 therethrough (Fig. 5) for slidably but non-rotatably receiving the leafspring axle. Member 60 of clamp I 4 has oppositely disposed recesses 64 therein for reception of the inwardly projecting trunnions 66 on ring part 68 of the clamp which fits within the bore 70 of the clamp body 12 and which is removably held therein by the set screws [6. The clamp body may be secured to any suitable support 14 by screws l6. Inasmuch as member 60 must adjust itself by rotating slightly about the axis of trunnions 66 when the roll axle is being bowed, it is essential that the axle be inserted in the hexagonal hole 62 in member 60 with the flat sides of the axle leaves in general parallelism with the axis of trunnions 66, as shown in Fig. 5. Hence, the right-hand end of the roll axle may be inserted in pivoted member fill of clamp l4 either before or after the member 60 and ring part 68 are secured in the clamp body 12, and the pivoted member 80 can tilt within ring part 63 about the axis of trunnions 66. A nut 18 on the threaded solid end portion 42 of the axle is adapted to clamp a short spacer element 80 between nut 18 and the outer side of member 60 of the clamp while the earlier mentioned spacing element 58 is clamped between the inner side of clamp member 60 and the inner race of the end-most ball-bearing unit 32, for a purpose which later will appear.

The left-hand end of the axle (Fig. 2) extends through the generally spherical member 82 of clamp [2 with the tube or sleeve 48 having nice sliding fit therein. The clamp member 82 is adjustably seated within the body 84 of the clamp and is held in any position of adjustment by means of the set screws Hi. The clamp body 84 may be secured to a suitable support 86 by screws 16.

It is a feature of the invention that the roll it may be bowed so as to have any of various amounts of longitudinal curvature, and may be rigidly maintained in any selected bowed condition.

Assuming that the straight roll of Fig. 2 is to converted to its bowed condition of Fig. 3, the set screws it of the end clamp l2 will be loosened, and locking screw 54 will be retracted at the left-hand end of the axle. Also, the nut '18 at the right-hand end of the axle will be loosened to relieve interior elements of the roll of endwise pressure. If the adjusting screw 52 be now screwed inward while screw 54 is held against rotation, the rod or plunger 44 will be forced inward relative to the bifurcated memher 46 and tube or sleeve 48. Inasmuch as leaf is of the leaf-spring axle is rigidly connected to rod or plunger 44, the inward movement of rod or plunger 44 along member 46 shortens the straight line distance between the ends of leaf [8, causing leaf is to become bowed. The other leaves of the axle necessarily assume a similar bowed shape because the inner races 32 of the ball-bearing units 32 closely surround all of the leaves and cause them all to bow with bowing of leaf l8, and the leaves can slip relative to each other as may be required to attain any particular amount of curvature for the axle. Preferably, the leaves l8 and 26 and the middle leaf 22 will be somewhat thicker than the other leaves. During the process of introducing bow or curvature in the axle and roll, the tube or sleeve 48 at the left-hand end of the axle can slip as needed in the clamp member 82, in responseto bowing of leaf 26 which is connected to the tube or sleeve 48 through the medium of the bifurcated member 46 which is welded at 41 to tube or sleeve 43 and is welded at 49 to leaf 26; and the member 82 can adjust itself as needed within the clamp body 84, assuming that the set screws l6 at clamp 12 are loosened.

As best seen in Fig. 3, the spacing elements 38 are self-adjusting during the bowing process due to an inter-fitting of bevelled ends of adjacent spacing elements 38. One end of the spacing element 33 of each co-acting pair is internally bevelled at 38 and one end of the other element 38 of each co-acting pair is externally bevelled at 38 These complementary bevelled ends of the spacing elements inter-fit and permit relative adjustment of the inter-fitting ends as the bowing of the axle proceeds, meanwhile maintaining the roll sections 28, 30 in suitably spaced relation.

When the roll has been provided with a predetermined or desired amount of bow or curvature, the locking screw 55 at the left-hand end of the axle will be tightened to lock adjusting screw 52 against accidental turning, and the nut l8 at the right-hand end of the axle will be tight ened to put the interior elements of the 'roll under substantial endwise compression. Finally, the curved roll may be secured with its axis in a desired plane by tightening the set screws l6 of the two end clamps I2, M.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description, in connection with the drawings, that the roll l0 may be provided with more or less bow to suit any particular sheet-expanding requirements, and the bow or curvature extends substantial bowing of the leaf-spring axle, and of Actually, a relatively small movement of .rod or plunger 44 within member 48 will produce a substantial bowing of the leaf-spring axle, and of the roll l0, and desired changes of curvature of the roll may be quickly and easily effected while the roll continues to be supported in its end clamps l2, [4.

Fig. 8 illustrates a modification which, in some respects, is preferred over the structure illustrated in Figs. 1-7. For example, adjustments of the curvature of the roll of the Figs. 1-7 embodiment should be made while the roll is not acting on a travelling sheet. Otherwise, the axle may become deformed to an inoperable extent. The roll of Fig. 8, however, may be adjusted to change its curvature while the roll is operating on a travelling sheet.

In Fig. 8, the end clamps I2, l4 and the roll body structure may be generally the same as illustratedinFigs. 2 and 3. However, the axle of the Fig. 8 roll has the right-hand end portions of leaves I88, I99, 2, 222, 233, 255 and 266 rigidly-secured together withleaves 499 and. 2H spaced apart by a. short spacer leaf 269' and with leaves 233 and 255 similarly spaced apart by a short spacer leaf 2%. All of the leaves are rigidly secured together throughout their extents inward to a. location a little beyond the adjacent end-most'ball bearing unit 32, at which location the spacer leaves 2% and 2M terminate. Leaves 199, 2H, 233 and 255 extend inward to the left in Fig. 8. throughout the major portion of the extent of the roll, terminating somewhat short. of the left-hand end-most bearing unit 32.

The left-hand'end portions of leaves I88 and 2% are rigidly secured together with a relatively short spacer leaf i953 spacing leaves I38 and Zilil apart and with a short spacer leaf 2! l spacing leaves 260 and 222 apart. Similarly, the left-hand end portions of leaves. 2 3d and. 2. 156 are rigidly secured together with. a short spacer leaf 233' spacing leaves 222 and 2M apart and. with a short spacer leaf 255' spacing leaves 2% and 26 5 apart. The leaves I88, I99, Etil and 2!! are rigidly secured together and the leaves 233, 2%, 255' and 2&6 are rigidly secured together, throughout their inward extentsto the right in Fig. 8 to a location a little beyond the adjacent end-most bearing unit 32, at which location the spacer leaves its, 2H, 233 and 255 terminate. Leaves 2% and 244 extend inward. to the right in Fig. 8 throughout the major portion of the extent of the roll, terminating substantially short of the inner ends of the spacer leaves 290' and 2% at the right-hand end portion of the axle. The left-hand end portion of the middle leaf 222 is free to slip longitudinally between the adjacent spacer leaves 2! I and 233'.

The left-hand ends of leaves I88, We. and 2% extend outward to the left in Fig. 8 beyond the adjacentends of the other leaves and are rigidly connected to the internally threaded member hid which may. be. flattened or otherwise formed for engaging the under side of leaf 260 which is shown welded thereto at 265. Thev sleeve element 2-88 fits loosely over the member Mid and the. ends of the axle leaves. with its inner end engaging the inner race of the adjacent endmost bearing unit 32, and with lower leaf 2% welded or otherwise rigidly secured thereto at ide The. outer end of. sleeve element its. is closed but has a threaded opening. therein for reception of the adjusting screw 522 whose inner end engages the member M l for forcing the member Add inward to produce bowing of the. axle. A locking screw 544 extends loosely and axially through the adjusting screw 522 and is adapted to be screwed into member ltd to lock the adjusting screw following any adjustmentof the latter.

Introduction of curvature, or modification of curvature, in the roll of Fig. 8 may be accomplished in the. same. manner as. described in connection with the roll of Figs. 1-7. However, as earlier mentioned, adjustment of curvature in the roll of Fig. 8 may be accomplished while the roll is operating on a. travelling sheet.

Also, in connection with the Fig. 8 embodiment, it should be noted that leaves at the opposite ends of the axleare rigidly secured together to provide a straight portion of axle at each end. of the roll.. It will be obviousthat these straight end: sections may be extendedto any desired distance within theroll'. body to:pro-. videa roll having straight end portions ofany desired length, in which case all of the variable curvature of'the roll would. beat the central region of the roll.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 9 is designed to have its opposite end portions. identical, with means at each end for ad-e justing curvature of the roll and with axial clamping means at each end. for endwise compression of interior elements of the roll body. Also, each end of the roll ofJFig. 9 may be mounted in a similar end-clamp which may be like the end-clamp: !2 of the Figs; 1-7 embodiment.

Inasmuch as both ends of the rollofiFig. 9 are identical, and identically mounted, only the lefthand end portion and: a central portion ofthe roll are represented: in Fig. 9, and the axle. and roll are shown in straight conditionxprior-to. introduction of curvature therein.

The illustrated end portion of the axle and roll in Fig. 9 is substantially the same as the corresponding end portion of the axle and roll of the Fig. 8' embodiment. However, the sleeve element tea which enclosesthe ends of the axle leaves in Fig. 9 is slidably keyed at 589 against rotation in the part 82 of end clamp 12, and has its inner end exteriorly threaded and provided with a clamping nut 78. The nutl8' projects inward beyond the inner end of sleeve element 388 and isadapted to engage the outer end of a rela tively short sleeve 385 whose inner end. engages the inner ball race of the end-most bearing unit 32.

The illustrated left-hand end of the axle has leaves 83, and. 268 rigidly secured together with the relativelyshort spacer leaf A99" spacing them apart and with spacer leaf 2] I spacing leaf 2% from the-middle leaf 222, and with the'connected ends of leaves Hi5, E99 and: 200 rigidly connected. to the internally threaded member ass, as describedin connection with. Fig. 8;. The lefthand ends of leaves 24% and 266 are rigidly connected together with spacer leaves 233 and 255 spacing leaf 244 from middle leaf 222 and spacing leaf rat from leaf 266, as described in connection WithFig; 8. Thexlower leaf 258 is weldedor otherwise rigidly 'secured to sleeve element 338 at 483 The central portion of the roll of Fig. Sis provided with a rigid straight-portion, indicated by the bracket at B, throughout which portion all or" the axle leaves which. extend into this central region are rigidly secured together. The axle at this central straight region includes leaves 588, and. 2% which extend throughout the length of the roll, and whose ends are-free to move r lative to each other. Also included at the rigid central region are four relatively long leaves i99 533i l 233* and 255 and two short spacer leaves 2% and 265 The spacer leaves have extent cnly at the rigid and straight central region, spacer leaf'flilil being interposed between leaves is? and 2! l while spacer leaf 2M is interposed betweenleaves 233 and 255 Each of leaves 599 21W, 233 and 255 has substantial extent from the central straight region both to the left and to the right. Leaf Elit extends inward tothe right from the illustrated end of the axle and has substantial engagement between the leaves 599. and 2! l terminating appreciably short of the rigid centralregion B of the roll. Leaf 245 similarly extends inward to the right between leaves 2233 and 255, terminating at the samelocation as leaf 206 The end spacer-leaves I99,

are loosened, by screwing in the adjusting screws 52 at the opposite ends of the roll, while looking screws 54 are held against rotation, followed by screwing in of the locking screws 54, after which interior elements of the roll body will be put under end-wise compression by screwing the clamping nuts 18 toward each other. The end clamp set screws then Will be tightened, as described in connection with the Figs. 1-7 embodiment.

The axle of the Fig. 9 embodiment may be provided with a central straight portion B of any desired length. Also, the illustrated relatively short straight end portion of the axle in Fig. 9 may be extended to any desired distance within the opposite ends of the roll body to provide straight end portions of any desired length on the roll body.

It is intended that the patent shall cover, by suitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features of patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed.

I claim as my invention:

1. An adjustable-curvature roll comprising a roll body, an axle on which said roll body is rotatably mounted, said axle comprising a plurality of superimposed resiliently flexible strips, and said. strips having extent within and being relatively slidable within substantial end portions of said roll body whereby the axle is flexible at its portions which extend Within said substantial end portions of the roll body, opposite end portions of the axle projecting beyond the roll body at each end of the latter, and said roll body comprising a series of roll sections distributed along said axle and a flexible surface sleeve engaged over all of said roll sections and tying all of said roll sections together for rotation in unison with said surface sleeve,lmeans engaging opposite end portions of said axle and operable to move said end portions of the axle thereby to introduce .longitudinal curvature into said substantial end curing the axle in a rigid condition in which it and the roll body thereon have predetermined curvature throughout the extent of said flexible portions of the axle within the roll body.

2. An adjustable-curvature roll comprising a roll body, an axleon which said roll body is rotatably mounted, said axle comprising a plurality of superimposed resiliently flexible strips, and said strips having extent Within and being relatively slidable within substantial end portions of said roll body whereby the axle is flexible at its portions which extend within said substantial end portions of the roll body, opposite end portions of the axle projecting beyond the roll body at each end of the latter, and said roll body being flexibly self-adapting for rotation on said axle when said axle is straight and also when said axle has any of various degrees of curvature therein, means on one of said projecting end portions of the axle operable to flex said flexible portions of the axle for introducing varying amounts of curvature into the axle and into said substantial end portions of the roll body thereon, and

'10 means on the opposite projecting end portion of said axle separately operable for securing the axle in a rigid condition with predetermined curvature therein.

3. A roll comprising a roll body and an axle on which said roll body is rotatably mounted with end portions of the axle projecting at opposite ends of said roll body, said axle comprising a plurality of superimposed relatively long resiliently flexible strips rigidly secured together at one end of the axle, at least two of said strips having extent throughout the extent of said roll body on the axle and being relatively movable within substantial end portions of said roll body, means at the other end of the axle for moving the adjacent ends of said strips toward said secured together ends of the strips thereby to introduce a predetermined amount of curvature into said axle with substantial uniformity of curvature throughout said substantial end portions of the roll body, and means on said other end of the axle for securing said moved ends of the strips against movement relative to said secured together ends thereof whereby said strips become a rigid axle having predetermined curvature at the flexible portions thereof, said roll body being flexibly self-adapting for adopting the general curvature of said axle and being rotatable on the axle regardless of variations in the curvature of the axle.

4. A roll comprising a roll body having a flexible surface sleeve resiliently engaged over a series of roll sections, an axle on which said roll sections and, surface sleeve are mounted for rotation in unison, said axle comprising a long leaf spring having extent throughout the extent of said roll body on the axle whose leaves, at one end of the axle, are rigidly secured together outward of the adjacent end of said roll body, a first memher, at the other end of the axle, rigidly secured to the adjacent end of one leaf of the spring outward of the adjacent end of said roll body, a second member within which said first member is movable, said second member being rigidly connected to the adjacent end of a second one of the leaves of the spring outward of the adjacent end of said roll body, means on the axle for moving said first and second members relatively to effect bowing of said spring and of said roll body thereon, and locking means on the axle for releasably securing said first and second members against relative movement thereby to maintain the bowed axle rigidly in any particular bowed condition thereof. 2

5. An adjustable-curvature roll comprising a roll body, an axle on which said roll body is rotatably mounted, said axle comprising a leaf spring having leaves extending throughout the extent of said roll body on the axle, and the axle having end portions projecting beyond the roll body at each end of the latter, and said roll body comprising a series of roll sections distributed along said axle and aflexible surface sleeve engaged over all of said roll sections and tying all of said roll sections together for rotation in unison with said surface sleeve, bearing elements distributed in spaced relation along said axle and intervening between said roll sections and said axle, said bearing elements being fixed to said roll sections and being slidably engaged with said axle, spacer means maintaining said roll sections in spaced relation within said surface sleeve, means on one end of the axle and operable for introducing varying amounts of bow in said axle throughout its extent within said roll body whereby said roll body becomes correspondingly bowed substantially from end to end thereof, and means on the other end of the axle operable for clamping said bearing elements and spacer means together axially of the axle thereby to maintain the axle in a rigid-condition with a predetermined amount of bow therein and in the roll body.

6. An adjustable-curvature roll comprising a roll body, a flexible axle on which said roll body is rotatably mounted, said axle comprising a series of resilient flexible strips stacked to constitute a relatively .long-leaf-spring having its leavesgat one end of the axle, rigidly secured together, at least two of said leaves having extent throughout the extent of said roll body on the axle, and saidroll body comprising a series of roll sections-slidably mounted in spaced relation on said axle and a flexible surface sleeve resiliently engaged over all of said roll sections tying them together for rotation ,in-unison with said surface sleeve, means on one end of the axle operable for flexing said spring and thereby introducing a predetermined amount of curvature in said roll substantially throughout the extent of .said roll .body and locking means said one end of the axle for securing the axle rigidly in any bowed condition thereof.

'7. An adjustable-curvature roll comprising a roll body and a resiliently flexible axle on which said roll body is rotatably mounted, said axle self rigidly connected to another one of said resiliently flexible elements, rotatable means on said other end of the axlefor effecting a movement of said plunger within said supporting member thereby to effect a bowing of the resiliently flexible element connected to the plunger, there being distributed means along said axle engaging around said resiliently flexible'elements whereby'the bowing of one of said resiliently flexible elements results in corresponding bowing of the others, and means on said other end of the axle for locking said plunger and its supporting member against relative movement after a predetermined amount .ofbow has been imparted to the axle and to the roll body thereon.

8. An adjustable-curvature rollcomprising a leaf-spring axle, a series of roll sections distributed in spaced relation along said axle, antifriction bearing units rotatably. supporting said roll sections onsaid axle and themselves slidable on the axle, spacer elements loosely encircling said axle between successive bearing units for maintaining a predetermined spacing of the bearing units, said leaf-spring axle extending beyond each end-most roll section vand being flexible throughout said distributed-extent of said roll sections on the axle, means at one end of the axle for imparting a predetermined amount of bow to the axle substantially throughout the extent thereof while said spacer elements are free of any substantial end-wise compression, and means on the other end of the axle for subjecting said spacer elements to substantial end-wise compression following bowing of the axle thereby to impart rigidityto said'axle and roll in any bowed condition thereof.

9. An adjustable-curvature roll having a flexible roll body, an axle supporting said roll body and comprising a series of superimposed resiliently flexible flat strips rigidly secured together throughout one substantial portion of the length of the axle thereby to provide a straight rigid section of axle, at least some of said strips having flexible extent from said straight rigid section throughout substantial end portions of the extent of said roll body on the axle and projecting beyond the roll body at opposite ends thereof, means at spaced locations within the roll body maintaining the flexible portions of superimposed strips against spreading apart while permitting relative longitudinal slip thereof, and a manually operable clamp on one end of the axle for engaging an end portion of a said strip and forcing it toward said straight rigid section of the axle thereby to introduce curvature in said axle between said straight section and said manually operable clamp, portions of said flexible roll body on said curved portions of said axle acquiring a generally corresponding curvature.

10. An adjustable-curvature roll having a flexible roll body, an axle supporting said roll body and comprising a series of superimposed resiliently flexible flat strips of which some string have extent throughout the length of the roll body and project at opposite ends of the roll body, means rigidly securing together at least a plurality of the projecting end portions of strips at each end of the axle substantially throughout the length of their mutual projection beyond the roll body thereby to provide a substantially rigid and straight projecting section of axle at each end of the roll body, means rigidly securing together all of the strips which are superimposed in another section of the axle which is within said roll body, thereby to provide a straight and rigid section of axle within the roll body on which the roll body-is maintained straight, mechanism manually operable on one end of the axle for forcing said straight and rigid sections of axle relatively toward each other to introduce curvature in the intervening portions of the axle and in the portions of the roll body thereon.

11. An adjustableourvature roll comprising a series of resiliently flexible generally flat strips stacked to provide a long leaf spring axle, a roll body comprising a multiplicity of roll sections slidably and rotatably mounted on said axle in slightly spaced relation with a flexible surface sleeve engaged 'over all of saidroll sections and tying them together for rotation in unison with said sleeve, spacer elements slidably and rotatably mounted on said axle for maintaining said roll sections in spaced relation when said spacer elements are subjected to endwise compression, means rigidly securing together leaves of the axle throughout one substantial portion of the length of the axle thereby to provide a straight rigid axle section of substantial length, means on the axle remote from said straight rigid section of the axle operative to effect relative movement of leaves of the axle between said straight rigid axle section and said remote means, thereby to imparta predetermined amount of curvature to said axle, and the roll body thereon, at regions of the axle and roll body located between said straight rigid axle section and said remote means, and abutment means on opposite end portions of said axle operable relatively toward each other along the axle for clamping said roll sections and spacer elements together longitudinally of said roll body.

12. An adjustable-curvature roll comprising an axle, and a flexible roll body rotatably mounted on the axle, said axle having a series of resiliently flexible strips therein of which at least one strip is longer than said roll body andprojects beyond the roll body at the opposite ends thereof, means within and at spaced locations along said roll body maintaining said flexible strips against spreading apart but permitting relative longitudinal slip between some of the strips throughout at least a substantial portion of their extents within the roll body, means rigidly securing together all of the said strips which have extent through one substantial portion of the length of the axle thereby to provide a substantial rigid and straight section of axle, and mechanism manually operable on at least one of said projecting ends of said strip which is longer than the roll body for effecting relative movement of the projecting ends of said strip which is longer than the roll body toward each other thereby to flex and provide curvature in said axle and flexible roll body throughout those portions of the roll body which are supported on flexible portions of said axle.

13. An adjustable-curvature roll having a flexible roll body, an axle supporting said roll body and comprising a series of superimposed resilient ly flexible flat strips, means rigidly connecting together all of the strips throughout one substantial portion of their mutual extent within the roll body thereby to provide a straight and rigid axle section on which a section of the roll body is maintained straight, there being a plurality of said strips extending flexibly from said straight and rigid section of the axle toward opposite ends of the axle, means at spaced locations within the roll body maintaining said flexible portions of the strips against spreading apart while permitting relative longitudinal slip therebetween, and mechanism on each end of the axle manually operable to impart curvature to the axle at opposite sides of said rigid and straight section thereof, and to the portions of the roll which are supported on the flexible portions of the axle.

14. An adjustable-curvature roll having a flexible roll body, an axle supporting said roll body and comprising a series of superimposed resiliently flexible flat strips, means rigidly connecting together all of the strips throughout one subtherebetween, mechanism on each end of the axle separately operable to impart curvature to the axle, and to the roll body thereon, at opposite sides of said rigid and straight section of the axle, and coacting clamping means on opposite end portions of the axle for subjecting the roll body to endwise compression following introduction of curvature in the axle and roll body.

15. A roll comp-rising a roll body having a flexible surface sleeve resiliently engaged over a series of roll sections, an axle on which said roll sections and surface sleeve are rotatable in unison, said axle comprising a long leaf spring whose leaves, at one location, are rigidly secured together, a first member rigidly secured to an end portion of one of the leaves of the spring in substantially spaced relation to said location, a second member rigidly secured to an end portion of another one of the leaves of the spring, said first and second members being at the same end of the roll, means on the axle for moving said first and second members relatively in directions longitudinally of the roll for bowing said springaxle between said location and the latter said means, and manually operable means on the axle for locking said first and second members against relative movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 687,847 Mycock Dec. 3, 1901 2,393,191 Robertson Jan. 15, 1946 2,547,975 Robertson Apr. 10, 1951 2,560,039 Harlow July 10, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 260,172 Great Britain Oct. 28, 1926 416,405 Great Britain Sept. 24, 1934 

